Rules for Summarizing

When I was in Secondary School, I think that one of the most confusing concepts that I grappled with was writing summaries. I was often lost as to what should be omittted from the summary. The main cause of my confusion was probably caused by my frenzy to ensure that I did not leave out points. Thus, everytime I was trying to decided on what to omit from my summaries, I often ended up not omitting anything at all because I fear leaving out crucial points.
Thus, a summary writing course that I attended helped me to understand omission alot better. One of the techniques that we were taught, during that course, was that examples provided in the passages need not be included in the summary. Usually, in the passage, the author makes a point and follows it up with either an elaboration and/or an example. Thus the main point is that which needs to be included and not the examples.
The Brown & Day article was rather helpful in defining the material that could be considered as unnecessary. Furthermore, i feel that the article follows a systematic sequence such that it explains what should be omitted in order to select the correct points to be included in the summary and then proceeds to instruct the students on paraphrasing skills.
If taught to the students in such a systemised manner, the students will have a clearer picture of it. I also feel that the students will have to be taught how to identify the points first and given practice on that before they begin the paraphrasing process. The paraphrasing process requires better understanding of the text or the point that they are selecting from the passage, which I feel is the toughest part of writing a summary.

Paul Nation Reading

In this reading, it is highlighted that language should be treated as a system in order to facilitate the reading process. The students will be able to read the text and comprehend it through paying attention to specific words.
When students learn new words, they need to remember it. One of the ways to remember would be to use these words in a new context and in effective conversation. This would be the best way to ensure that the students remember the new word they learning how to use it in a new context.
However, i feel that the most important section of the reading is the part that recommends the usage of games in teaching language. Games will allow students to use language in a context that is different from that which they perceive it in thus far. Games will allow students to remember the language lessons they learn more effectively.